NEW DELHI: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has resigned, but will remain at the company until a successor is found, according to four people familiar with the matter. This development paves the way for a leadership transition at a time when the airline faces operational disruptions, rising costs and a potential record loss this year.
Wilson’s resignation was accepted at last week’s board meeting, these people said. “He will continue to remain in the system until the board finds his successor – to help with a smooth transition – whenever that happens, until September,” one said.
Campbell’s five-year term was due to end in September next year.
Air India declined to comment on the matter.
The search for a successor began in January after Wilson expressed his desire not to continue beyond the expiration of his contract, people familiar with the matter said. He joined Air India in September 2022 on a five-year contract – following the airline’s privatization in January that year – and that contract is now set to expire a year early.
Another person close to the development said that Air India is in advanced talks with the candidates and a crucial meeting in this regard is scheduled for next week.
However, when asked about potential candidates, he said: “They are all CEOs of full-service carriers. To name someone is incorrect at this point.”
It comes amidst turmoil
People familiar with the matter said that the airline faces multiple challenges, the latest of which are airspace restrictions imposed due to the West Asian crisis, restrictions on aircraft supplies and rising costs. Airspace restrictions have forced the airline to take longer routes with fuel stops, significantly increasing operating costs, especially on international routes that form a large part of Air India’s network.
These challenges are in addition to the repercussions of the crash of one of the company’s Boeing Dreamliner planes (Flight AI 171) on June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, killing 241 people on board and on the ground.
Reports stated that airline losses may reach $20,000 crore in FY2026.
“The airline should look for someone with strong credibility, global experience of running a complex full-service airline, familiar with the low-cost operations (of Air India Express), and who is five years away from retirement,” said an industry insider.
Air India Express CEO Alok Singh’s term as CEO ended on March 19. He announced this to the airline’s employees via an email on March 2.
Cut off the task for the Caliph
“The new person (Air India CEO) is expected to be appointed once the AI 171 crash report is published,” another person said. India’s Air Accident Investigation Agency issued a preliminary report on July 12, and has been mandated to release a full report by June 12, 2026.
Air India is not the only Indian airline to see a change in leadership this year. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, which faced widespread turmoil in December last year, announced the sudden exit of its CEO Peter Elbers on March 10, and appointed its new chairman, William Walsh, on March 30.
